Furthermore, after the planned 14-month SM refurb beginning next year, it will be the flagship indoor coaster once again. And once word of the refurb gets out to the general public....people are definitely going to want to visit this attraction one last time before it changes forever.
Besides, you gotta add it, or you'll keep getting these whiny comments from me all day long!! =)
Space is clearly the next in line among MK attractions, when one looks at the ratings. But the only way I could see fitting it in would be to get an FP for it after Philharmagic, then to go on Monsters and Buzz (sans FP, since you used it for Space) before returning to Space Mtn.
That would work on a low-to-average-attendance day, but I think we run out of time on a typical summer day with that plan. And I can't see what we'd cut from the current plan to add Space.
For perspective here, this was the single toughest plan to create. (Followed by Animal Kingdom and USF.) Many commendable attractions, spread evenly throughout the park.
You have to start your tour at Space Mountain, then the "get a fastpass for Splash MT and wait in line for Thunder MT" strategy works like a charm. And honestly, if you speed directly to Tomorrowland when the park opens you should be able to do both Space MT and Buzz Lightyear with minimal wait anytime of year.
With these changes you will only have to backtrack for Philharmagic and Laugh Out Loud, which is no biggie because you will be rewarded with a short wait in an air conditioned attraction.
Trust me. Disney is watching and you are currently a marked man. Tread softly from here on out....
=)
Like I wrote, I could go either way at this point. Orlando folks, chime in!
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear
Peter Pan
Haunted Mansion
Obtain a fastpass for Splash Mt
Thunder Mt
Splash Mt (using fastpass)
Pirates of the Care-uh-bee-ann
(Stop at Aloha Isle in Adventureland and get a Dole Float)
Mickey's Philharmagic
Monster's Inc Comedy Club
done.
Maybe a little over four hours, but not much.
And Robert, the animatronic they make out of you will be set up at the entrance to Disaster Transport at Cedar Point instead of at a Disney Park. You'll say something like "Welcome to an even worse version of Space Mountain. Watch out for the leaky roof!"
I have never seen Space Mountain NOT busy during the midday hours, except for right after it breaks down and gets fixed.
And getting reservations at the Castle to eat with Cinderella the day of the meal...you are a miracle worker!! It CAN happen, but definitely not during the May - August stretch of the year.
That would put eight attractions in this tour, which I think is the maximum that one can do in four hours before you embark into crazyland. It's possible to do more, of course, but the point of these four hour tours is to hit the best of the best, in a low-stress environment before anyone gets too tired. Trying to do 10-12 attractions in four hours, while possible, defeats that purpose, IMHO.
Besides when Space Mt closes for a 14 month refurb at the beginning of 2009, the point will be moot! =)
In short, a Disney vacation without Space Mountian is not the big deal so many are making it out to be.
No Space Mountain or Thunder Mountain? I'm not going!
I think if you start in Tomorrowland with Space MT and proceed counter clockwise through the park you can get all the mountains (and the other good stuff) done in four hours. Just remember, before you ride on Thunder Mountain you should get a fastpass for Splash Mountain, so it is like waiting for both at the same time.
I would backtrack and hit Mickey's Philharmagic and the Monster's Inc Comedy Club last, as they are great people movers and accessible any time of day without much waiting.
So, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Thunder MT/Splash MT, POTC, Philharmagic, Monster's Inc Comedy Club, done. Maybe a little over four hours, but not much.
For lunch (if you don't want to eat counter service at Cosmic Ray's or Pecos Bill's) you can take the monorail to Contemporary and enjoy something off their excellent lunch menu.
And while in the park, make sure to stop at the Aloha Isle counter and get a Dole Whip Float.....phenomenal.